Synopsis
Sir Robert Chiltern is a successful government minister, well-off and with a loving wife. All this is threatened when Mrs Cheveley appears in London with damning evidence of a past misdeed. Sir Robert turns for help to his friend Lord Goring, an apparently idle philanderer and the despair of his father. Goring knows the lady of old, and, for him, takes the whole thing pretty seriously.
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Cast
- Cate BlanchettLady Gertrude Chiltern
- Minnie DriverMiss Mabel Chiltern
- Rupert EverettLord Arthur Goring
- Julianne MooreMrs. Laura Cheveley
- Jeremy NorthamSir Robert Chiltern
- Peter VaughanPhipps
- Ben PullenTommy Trafford
- Marsha FitzalanCountess
- Lindsay DuncanLady Markby
- John WoodLord Caversham
Recommendations
- 90
Variety
Shines like a freshly minted coin in Oliver Parker's adaptation. - 80
Salon
It all seems calculated to churn up excitement, a promise that there's lots of dazzle, glamour and intrigue to come. An Ideal Husband actually does deliver all those things, but mostly in a pleasurably understated way -- no need for the noisy signals. - 80
Film.com
It still sounds pretty fresh: politicians scratching backs, loose ladies threatening to talk, careers balanced tremulously on the line - 80
New Times (L.A.)
The political, social, and linguistic adjustments Parker makes to this hugely entertaining Husband give it fresh relevance without betraying the original. - 75
Chicago Sun-Times
The two leading men, Northam and Everett, are smooth and charming. - 70
Film Threat
The film is not without its problems, some inherent to Wilde's original play. - 70
Village Voice
His film is hardly memorable, but it's amusing enough for two hours, and it never panders or cloys. - 70
Slate
The movie is diverting enough -- it's good fun -- but much of the genius is gone with the wind.
